A Good Year For Silas Chandler

I absolutely love this photo. Pictured below are two generations of the Chandler-Sampson family taking the time over the holidays to learn about their famous ancestor. The photo conveys the power of history and reinforces my firm belief that what we do as historians matters. I am sure my co-author, Myra Chandler Sampson, agrees. There is still time to pick up the most recent issue of Civil War Times at your local newsstand. I think it is safe to say that 2011 was a good year for Silas Chandler.

Great pic, Kevin, and great article. The actual history is much more interesting and compelling than the myths that have grown up around the story, but I guess that myths are an easier way to sell T-shirts and ease consciences! (Btw, having just finished the article, I was well-equipped to deal with the issue of Black Confederates when it was raised during my recent tour of President Lincoln’s Cottage in DC!)

It really is telling that the issue came up during a part of the tour dealing with the U.S.C.T. In fact, it was a local congressman on the tour who raised the topic, and the guide was well prepared to handle it. I chimed in with a few facts as well. I have a feeling that the guide had dealt with the Black Confederate issue before, and the congressman surely was familiar with the Virginia text book controversy.

Thanks for the kind words. It means a lot coming from a historian and blogger such as you!

Thanks Kevin, I agree that Silas had a very good year. I would like to thank all of the people that have been so supportive and encouraging here at cwmemory. The magazine was something that the entire family celebrated with great pride during the holidays. It was so interesting to see different family members find the magazine at different locations all over the country and clean the shelves by buying all that were available. Other family members also took pictures reading the history to the children. We now have something that we can physically hold in our hands and say to the children, “this is the true story of your great, great, great, grandfather. I have continued my research and have discovered information about Silas’ immediate family, his mother, siblings, grandmother etc. I would like to wish Kevin and Michaela and all of you the best for the New Year.

A wonderful photo and a wonderful article. It’s a wonderful phenomenon that, when an article like this comes out, it can unlock a treasure trove of information that’s out there waiting to find a focus.

I have two copies of that issue of the magazine: One that I bought at a local Barnes & Noble and the other I bought at the Harrisburg, PA, Amtrak Station’s newstand (I decided I wanted to read it on the train but I’d left my original copy at home so I picked up another.).

I’ve never met Lyons, but by odd coincidence I’ve known him by reputation from long before ever attracted the attention of the SPLC, or anyone at SHPG ever heard of him. Only later, much later, did I learn of his “heritage” activities (both odious and ludicrous, but I cannot say any of it much surprised me.

Connie’s just jealous because she has no evidence that anyone reads what she writes. That’s why she comes on other people’s blogs. She’s desperate for an audience … well, except for her very, *very* good acquaintance, Dr. Michael Hill of the League of the South.

For the Civil War buffs among us, it’s really worth spending some time over at Kevin Levin’s blog, Civil War Memory. I can’t act like I discovered the place–some readers brought it to my attention. But it’s a great blog dealing in exactly what its title claims.